The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) advises that State Highway 25 will close for short periods next week, just north of Thames, to enable the bridge beams to be placed on the inland half of the new Tararu Stream Bridge.
NZTA will be closing the Tararu Stream Bridge for 5-10 minute stretches on Thursday 6 November, between the hours of 10am and 2pm. A 30 km/h speed restriction will be in place through the work area and travel delays of up to 15 minutes are expected.
NZTA started work in May 2008 to replace the Tararu Stream Bridge, and is in the process of rebuilding the inland side of the bridge. The bridge has been operating as a one-lane bridge since 6 August. Two-lanes will be temporarily restored over the Tararu Stream Bridge during the Christmas/New Year period, and then the bridge will be returned to a one-lane operation until construction of the new bridge is completed around April next year.
The replacement of the Tararu Stream Bridge is part of the Coromandel’s Peninsula Project, which aims to help protect the area from flooding. Peninsula Project is a partnership between Environment Waikato, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Department of Conservation and Hauraki Maori Trust and involves an integrated multi-agency approach to managing the flood risk on the Thames Coast.
Transit is also replacing Te Puru Stream Bridge as part of the Peninsula Project, approximately 11km north of Thames. Works to replace the Te Puru Stream Bridge is expected to begin within the next two weeks.
